96 YEARS OLD TODAY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 18

96 YEARS OLD TODAY

Mr W. H. Blackett Of Rangiora

Vivid memories of the days of the wooden sailing ship, the penny farthing bicycle, and the horse-drawn coach can be easily recalled by Mr W. H. Bloomfield, of 10 Blackett street, Rangiora. who celebrates his ninetv. sixth birthday today. Mr Bloomfield enjoys excellent health and has never even suffered a headache during his long life. Born in London, Mr Bloomfield arrived in New Zealand at Lyttelton in 1874 after a vovasfe lasting 122 days aboard the Carisbrook Castle. He was 10 years old at the time. Shortly afterwards his familv travelled bv cargo boat to T ! maru where he spent most of his life before coming to Rangiora ab n ut 2 1 rears ago. Mr Bloomfield was a 'hundetion member of the Timaru School and began his apnrenticeshin as a baker at the age of 18. There were no trade un'ons in those days and Mr Bloomfield worked the customary first six months without nay. After this he received 5s a week and when he had completed his five years’ apprenticeship he was paid 27s fid a week as a foreman. Discussing the value of monev in those da vs Mr Bloomfield said Is would buy a leg of mutton and a loaf of bread, while a suit made to measure and with a snare pair trousers cost about £2 10s W’th almost fis years spent in Timaru. Mr Bloomfield saw manv incidents and developments in that area. A scene that impressed him so much that he afterwards wrote a description of it was ’he wrecking of the two shins, the Ven Venue and the city of Perth, on Sunday, May 14. in 1882. Several lives were lost as persons abandoned the ships as they drifted ashore. First Car in 1916 Mr Bloomfield purchased his first car in 1918. Driver’s licences were not required then and the vehicles were not eauinned with batteries or speedometers. He has owned quite a number of cars since then and drove until he was 90. Even then he passed all tests satisfactorily. but decided not to continue driving as "anything can happen when you recrh that age.” Mr Bloomfield had his own business in Timaru for many rears and had been retired for three or four years when he came to Rangiora for a new job at the age of 74 Mr Bloomfield’s day usually began at 2 a.m. and finished at 6.30 pun He has been used to hard work and long hours all his life. Years after he was supposedly retired Mr Bloomfield spent three months cooking five meals a day in the middle of summer for a gang of shearers in the back country. Mr Bloomfield smokes a pipe but as far as he can remember has never touched alcohol. He derives great satisfaction from “shouting” for others, though, and makes a point of doing so on all possible occasions. Gardening has been one of Mr Bloomfield’s main occupations since his retirement. He still tends his property, handling a wheelbarrow, 'clippers or fork with a dexterity that would be a credit to a man many years his junior. After his years in the profession Mr Bloomfield's skill as a baker remains with him. The savouries and other delicacies which will form his birthday meal have been prepared bv himself. Mr Bloomfield has been married twice. His son was killed in World War I and his daughter lives in the North Island. He has six grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.